Match Reports

Thursday evening saw the Aslan FC 1st XI travel to Capital City Academy to face second from bottom Imperial Rebellion for their penultimate game of the season.

With international media organisations forecasting sub-zero temperatures and snow prior to the 18:30 kick-off the match was in danger of abandonment before even starting.

This fate already having met a flurry of npower Championship, League One and Two ties over the previous weekend as well as the more recent match-up between Aslan FC’s geographical cousins in Wimbledon AFC who were set to face fellow npower League Two strugglers Bradford.

A ground inspection proved otherwise however as the trusty Capital City Academy turf was deemed match-worthy for the remainder of the evening.

Acerbic temperatures estimated to be in the range of +5 to -10C combined with a harder than normal injury-inducing surface – the former driven by a still lingering Siberian high pressure front – contributed to all factors in favour of a cautious low-scoring game.

Pundits gauged both sides as keen to see out their seasons injury and suspension free with Aslan FC Head Coach Alan Springer predicted to set out a no-nonsense 5-4-1 formation, snatch an early goal and then close up shop to see out a five-game unbeaten league run.

In the former sense the following ninety minutes proved different as Aslan FC metaphorically initiated ‘Project Free-score’ with six goals put away in rapid succession against their sprightly opponents.

A reply of one from Imperial Rebellion was mathematically insufficient to prevent the capture of a solid three points by the Aslan team, putting them in tentative good stead for their end of season clash against NVA FC in two weeks time.

A stroll in the park for Aslan FC as the 1st XI swept through an experienced but laboured Indies Celtic side in Monday evening’s top of the table clash.

Playing away in the heated cauldron of Capital City Academy playing fields, Aslan started the fixture at a measured pace with both teams having an even share of possession in the opening fifteen minutes.

Mid-way through the first half, patient build-up combined with dextrous vision saw two back-to-back clinical finishes from the away team strikeforce.

From then on Indies Celtic never really looked like maintaining an even footing in the game with Aslan dominating proceedings.

Extra-time saw Aslan nab a final goal to see out what was on the whole a comfortable victory.